Garage Lube

PICO-TA506 PicoBNC+ Automotive 10:1 Attenuating Lead

The TA506 is designed to handle a 400V peak maximum working voltage with a 600V peak transient overvoltage. It is therefore ideal for measuring primary ignition and injector switching voltages, as well as the inductive voltages measured on some types of speed and position sensors, etc. Due to the higher impedance nature of the probe, it is also suitable for measurement of sensitive circuits, such as those from knock sensors. With a high bandwidth, the TA506 is perfectly suited for monitoring high-speed signals including FlexRay and CAN FD.

The most significant change of the TA506 over the TA499 probe is the replacement of the traditional oscilloscope probe termination with a non-stacking shrouded 4 mm banana positive connector and a stacking non-shrouded 4 mm banana Earth connector. Building on the typical PicoBNC+ ease of use, these changes allow the probe to more easily connect to our existing range of 4 mm clips and adaptors. Accessibility is also improved as the smaller form factor means the probe can fit into smaller spaces.

The TA506 is automatically recognised by PicoScope software when connected to the scope. This accessory is only available for PicoBNC+ and will not work with older PicoScope models.

Specifications

Attenuation ratio	10:1
Bandwidth	20MHz
Rise time (calculated)	17.5ns
Input impedance	10MΩ ±2%
Input capacitance	33pF ±1pF
Maximum working voltage	400V pk
Total length	2.85m nominal

10:1 Attenuator

With high bandwidth and fault-protection, the 10:1 oscilloscope attenuator has been designed to allow fuel injector and primary ignition waveforms to be measured using PicoScope oscilloscopes.

The PICO-TA197 is a passive 10:1 attenuator. This means that a 10 V signal at its input will appear as a 1 V signal on the output. The PICO-TA197 allows voltages of up to 400 V to be measured. Note the PICO-TA917 attenuator is designed for ground referenced signals only as it only attenuates the signal path and not the ground path.

The PICO-TA197 attenuator also increases the input impedance of the oscilloscope from 1 MΩ to 8 MΩ and can also be used when measuring the output of high-impedance sensors such as piezo knock sensors where connecting an automotive scope can attenuate the signal or induce a fault code.

Note : When using a PicoScope 4225 or 4425 oscilloscope the oscilloscope attenuator may not be needed for measuring injectors because the voltage spike is usually under 200 V (however, we recommend that you always use an attenuator when probing inductive circuits because of the unpredictablity of back EMF). It will always be required however when using older generations of PicoScopes which only measure to 50 V or 100 V. The 10:1 attenuator is an improved version of the 20:1 attenuator previously available from Pico.

Specifications

Attenuation	10:1
Input impedance	8MΩ
Input capacitance	27pF
Bandwidth	20MHz (–3 dB)
Maximum input	400V

Safety Precautions

The PICO-TA197 is designed for measuring automotive signals such as fuel injector and primary ignition voltages (nominally 6, 12 or 24 volts). This attenuator must not be used to measure mains voltages, secondary ignition or other hazardous voltages.

Fuel injector and primary ignition signals contain short duration high voltage spikes “inductive kicks”. We therefore recommend (especially when using the older Automotive Oscilloscopes) the use of two ground connections between the oscilloscope and the vehicle under test. One ground connection is made using the measurement test lead. A second ground lead should be connected between one of the other BNC connectors on the oscilloscope and a secure ground point on the vehicle such as the negative terminal of the battery. Misconfiguration and/or failure to follow these warnings may cause damage to the product and/or computer and could cause injury to yourself or others.